Sertoma International is the third oldest civic organization in the United States and one of the smallest with about 17,000 members. We are an International organization with members in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our organization’s main focus is on communicative disorders, however, member clubs have been given the latitude to sponsor those activities which will most benefit the community.
The Downtown Fort Smith Sertoma club was founded on December 5, 1953 and has made a difference in this city for over half a century. In keeping with our primary focus of speech and hearing sponsorships, we not only assist needy individuals to obtain hearing aids, but also conduct a number of activities designed to increase public awareness of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). These activities fall under a national program called Sertoma Safe Ears. We also assist the Area IV Special Olympics by providing medals for their annual Track and Field events competition. Other sponsorships are shown below:
* Gregory Kistler Treatment Center For Children
* Special Olympics
* Single Parent Scholarships
* Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs
* Crisis Center for Women
* Hanna House
* Assist in the purchase of Hearing Aids
* Christmas for local families with children who would not otherwise have a Christmas
* Fort Smith Policeman of the Year
* Camp Dream Street
* Give Heritage Speeches and give copies of the Declaration of Independence to area 9th Graders